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Ollantaytambo

48.5 miles by paved road from Cusco is Ollantaytambo, a lovely village that preserves the designs of Inca buildings located at an altitude of 9160 feet in the province of Urubamba. Among this place's most impressive attractions are the ceremonial temple in worship of water and a fortress that guarded the entrance to the valley to repel any invasions. The temple has a set of terraces lying one atop the other which visitors scale via a steep stairway.

The fortress is a stone colossus that was built between two mountains to protect the valley. The area also holds the Temple of Inti (the sun god), Incamisana, the baths of the Ñustas (princesses), the Cachiccata funerary towers, and a group of tiered and very steep terraces on the side of a hill.

Ollantaytambo also contains the mountain called Pinculluna or Tunupa, which holds the vestiges of Inca architectural structures which seem to have been a storehouse for various foodstuffs. Ollantaytambo is also a meeting place for nearby communities, such as the Huayruros de Willoc, who can be recognized by their red and black ponchos and hats.

Location

Don't forget

To visit, you will need either the General Tourist Ticket (S/. 130.00) or Single-Entry Tourist Ticket (S/.70.00)

Weather: Temperate.

Altitude: 9,160 feet above sea level.

Distance from the city: 48 miles.

Access routes: By road.

Adventure sports

For those that like the challenge of hiking, Ollantaytambo offers a trail of moderate difficulty that starts at the lower square and climbs gently to Pumamarca. This town also offers trails specifically for mountain biking. The best time of year for this activity is between May and October, during the dry season. For rafting, between May and October the river reaches class III and IV rapids in the Ollantaytambo area.